VERIZON NORTHWEST, INC. v. WASH. EMP. SEC. DEPT.

No. 81024-9.

194 P.3d 255 (2008)

VERIZON NORTHWEST, INC., Appellant, v. WASHINGTON EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT, Steven D. Ackerman, Lessa P. Adams, Angela L. Alexander, Matthew J. Alice, Marsha A. Allgire, Ann M. Almli, Larry F. Ames, Carol A. Arendse, Christine S. Bailey, Jerry J. Bakko, Sharon A. Barakat, Melissa J. Barran, David O. Bauer, Marlena S. Bauer, Thomas W. Becker, Suzanne M. Beckmann, Joanne L. Bell, Trent A. Berring, Starla J. Bessler, Michael E. Bevis, Denman M. Bird, Michael L. Bly, Bohdon W. Bodnarchuk, Russell L. Boknecht, John A. Boorman, Terri L. Bowker, David L. Bradford, Don R. Branson, Patricia A. Bray, Sonya L. Breaum, Travis S. Brian, Billye L. Brooks, Douglas M. Brown, Pamela J. Brown, Gary A. Buckner, Joseph T. Buongiorno, Nicki R. Burns-Amma, Katie G. Byrnes, Ron J. Caffreye, Kelly L. Campbell, Deborah J. Carlson, Lisa R. Carlson, Richard L. Carroll, Karen L. Carson, Richard F. Castano, Francisco J. Cayere, Raymond D. Chavis, Judy A. Chesley, Ezekiel J. Christenson, Steven R. Cleveland, Shirley A. Coleman, Kenneth D. Collins, Deborah M. Cooper, Kenneth A. Cunningham, Russell D. Curran, Thomas E. Dales, Sheila K. Davidson, Rosemary B. Davis, Tyra L. Debono, David J. Dingman, Dennis M. Dobbelaere, Jeanette S. Dodson, Thomas Doran, Jennifer L. Dowling, Fonda K. Downs, Judy Eddy, Gregory J. Eitelberg, Sheree L. Elmendorf, Joanne M. Ericksen, Cecile L. Ervin, Pamela J. Evans, Glenn W. Extor, Kenneth F. Faircloth, Roger M. Farrar, Tarri N. Feden, William C. Fisher, Edward T. Florez, Steve J. Fontaine, Floyd C. Foster, Donald J. Franks, George C. Fuller, Christine M. Funkhouser, Randy L. Furnas, Sterling H. Gibson, Terri L. Gibson, Marla J. Giese, Joye M. Gill, Karen M. Graham, Keith P. Green, John H. Griffis, Scott S. Haeger, Rodney D. Hagge, Cynthia A. Hall, Paula E. Harrington, Tim Harris, Larry M. Henderson, Sue J. Hicks, Thomas W. Higdon, Lynda A. Hildebrant, Curtis D. Hill, James C. Hill, Corine M. Hoiness, Norma K. Homann, Holly L. Hopper, Ellen A. Horne, Vanessa R. Horning, Berke T. Horrocks, Erik D. Hovde, Betsy J. Howard, Michael R. Howard, Steven J. Howard, Jerry R. Hudson, Gayle A. Humann, Regina H. Hunt, Michael G. Hupf, Nancy M. Hurlbut, David M. Jacobsen, Randal V. Jensen, Billy Jira, Alan W. Johnson, Debra J. Johnson, Leanne E. Johnson, Lori A. Johnson, Patricia E. Johnson, Thomas A. Johnson, Alvin W. Joiner, Mary A. Jones, Racquel K. Jonson, Dawn Kauhane, Robert W. Killops, Douglas P. Knight, Charlene Y. Kolacki, Alicyn S. Komine, Andrew F. Kops, Daniel N. Krah, Diana L. Ladiser, Gary S. Larson, Charles W. Lawrence, Andrea E. Lazanis, David W. Lee, Donna M. Legore, Dino J. Lence, Darla J. Lennier, Emory D. Lindgard, Richard D. Lippincott, Patricia A. Lohse, William C. Long Gregory J. Lundgren, Kenneth C. Maas, Jeanine M. Mackenzie, Mike P. Mahoney, Susan C. Malone, Kathleen G. Marrinier, Marcia A. Matson, Dallas L. McCormick, Debra C. McDade, Kristi A. McMullen, James C. McMurtry, Charles E. Mell, Linda J. Mismas, Karen A. Montague, Merrilyn J. Morrison, Joella J. Mueller, Kay S. Mulder, Constance C. Murry, Robert E. Neal, Edward D. Nelson, Gary L. Nelson, Robert A. Nelson, Terry L. Ness, Vinnie H. Nguyen, Patricia C. Nordby, Lorna M. Nunn, Stephen C. Olesen, Barry N. Ordell, Andre H. Osborne, Kathryn A. Panfili, Janice Parker, Gretchen L. Paylor, Pamela Perryman, Jean M. Peterson, James M. Rainer, Gordon L. Rechcygl, David P. Ridgeway, Jeanne R. Rogers, Howard E. Ronkin, Gerald K. Ross, Ryan M. Roumonada, Mildred L. Ruosch, Beverly C. Russell, Mike T. Ryman, Ava G. Sakowski, Jill E. Saunders, Robert D. Schlagel, Keith D. Schulz, James D. Seaberg, Diane L. Searson, William K. Seufert, Jeffrey T. Shipley, Stephen D. Shipley, Margaret E. Simmons, Dallas J. Singleton, Dwight O. Sissons, John L. Smits, Faith V. Snelgrove, Cheryl A. Snyder, Fern K. Soderstrom, Cynthia A. St. Clair, Traci L. Steenburgen, Donald W. Stingley, Sharon L. Stjern, Diana L. Storey, James M. Strago, Carol S. Stultz, Doug E. Sundin, Christine I. Surina, Julie A. Swanson, Patrick C. Sweeney, Jo Ellen F. Swehla, Jose F. Terrazas, Candace M. Testa, Eileen A. Teufel, Donald P. Thomas, Stacey S. Thomas, Richard W. Tickle, David N. Ulrich, Rodney A. Visser, Eric M. Wahl, Krina L. Wall, Robin E. Warren, Michael J. Weddle, Janet L. Weeks, Greg R. Wegner, Steve L. Westman, William Westwood, Barbara J. Wetzel, Alison D. Weymouth, William A. Wheaton, Jr., James R. Whisman, Jonathan C. White, Charlene M. Wicklund, Sherri L. Williams, Terry E. Wilson, Feye L. Woods, Maria Wraspir, Ralph R. Yunker, Fred T. Zelich, Respondents.

Supreme Court of Washington, En Banc.

October 23, 2008.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Timothy J. O'Connell, Theresa A. Briscoe, Stoel Rives LLP, Seattle, WA, for Appellant.

Gregory Marc Worthy, Erika G.S. Uhl, Office of Attorney General, John Tirpak, Unemployment Law Project, Seattle, Steven J. Howard, Bothell, Alan W. Johnson, Orting, Cynthia A. St. Clair, Everett, Charlene M. Wicklund, Marysville, for Respondents.


OWENS, J.

¶ 1 In late 2003, a number of managers employed by appellant Verizon Northwest, Inc. (Verizon) chose to participate in a Voluntary Separation Program for Management Employees (MVSP). The former managers (the employees) then applied for and were granted unemployment benefits. This case requires us to interpret the regulatory "employer-initiated layoff" exception to the Employment Security Act (ESA), Title 50 RCW, rule that employees are disqualified...

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